Bill of indictment for African-American woman named "Blender", 1808 January
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Summary
- Abstract:
- Collection comprises a bill of indictment for perjury against "Blender," an African-American woman who allegedly falsely accused a man of rape. Contains a list of 10 witnesses in the case, including seven women. In 1807 Blender accused Jonas Fairlamb of raping her, resulting in pregnancy. The indictment also mentions the alleged crime of "bastardy," but those words have been crossed out. Blender appeared before the justice of the peace for Delaware County, Pennsylvania, but now, some months later, it appears that she perjured herself. The indictment contains a description of the alleged sexual assault, and lists the contradictions in Blender's account of the rape and the timeline of events. Blender is charged with committing "wilfull & corrupt perjury to the great displeasure of Almighty God." The docketing on the bill lists the foreman of the jury as Thomas Smith, and notes that the defendant, having been arraigned, pleads "non cul[pabilis]," or not guilty. Acquired as part of the John Hope Franklin Research Center for African and African American History and Culture.
- Extent:
- 0.1 Linear Feet (1 item)
- Language:
- Materials in English
- Collection ID:
- RL.11377
Background
- Scope and content:
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Collection comprises a bill of indictment for perjury against "Blender," an African-American woman who allegedly falsely accused a man of rape. Contains a list of 10 witnesses in the case, including seven women. In 1807 Blender accused Jonas Fairlamb of raping her, resulting in pregnancy. The indictment also mentions the alleged crime of "bastardy," but those words have been crossed out. Blender appeared before the justice of the peace for Delaware County, Pennsylvania, but now, some months later, it appears that she perjured herself. The indictment contains a description of the alleged sexual assault, and lists the contradictions in Blender's account of the rape and the timeline of events. Blender is charged with committing "wilfull & corrupt perjury to the great displeasure of Almighty God." The docketing on the bill lists the foreman of the jury as Thomas Smith, and notes that the defendant, having been arraigned, pleads "non cul[pabilis]," or not guilty. Acquired as part of the John Hope Franklin Research Center for African and African American History and Culture.
- Acquisition information:
- The Bill of indictment for African-American Woman Named "Blender" was received by the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book Manuscript Library as a purchase in 2016.
- Processing information:
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Processed by Alice Poffinberger, February, 2017
Accessions described in this collection guide: 2016-0316
- Rules or conventions:
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Subjects
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Bill of indictment for African-American Woman Named "Blender," David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University.